I recently bought a 98 wrangler with a torn up soft top. so i bought a new after market top. it almost fits, but not quite. i can get it on, but the passenger side is so tight that I can't close the back window on that side, nor can I get the front clamp down on the passenger side. The driver's side is tight, but I got it all closed.

I'm wondering if my soft top hardware (which is old) could be bent a little in the wrong place. Are there any common problems or techniques to get it to stretch a little further?

It's so close to fitting, but I just can't get it. And I don't think this is just the case of a new unstretched top, because I'm a pretty big guy and I've used all my strength trying to get it closed. Something isn't quite right.

Definitely agree with the temperature advice first. New tops (at least my Bestop) are very tight out of the box. I guess it's so as they stretch and wear they don't get too loose.

Another thing to check is the black nylon strap (about 3" wide) that connects the rear bows of the frame can get twisted or caught when you put the top up. Check to make sure it's straight because it will cause the problems you're desrcibing.